[halfdecayedParticipant]

 I mean the offense will be phenomenal probably, but I think people overlook how they will look defensively with Green and Durant defending the paint.. We all saw what happened then Bogut went down in the Finals.. Lebron and co owned the paint basically. Durant is not a bad defender, but I don’t see him being strong enough to defend well against big power forwards, even though I know these are rare these days. I honestly think the Cavs will eat em up inside and pull off the upset in the finals but that’s still a bold prediction since the season hasn’t started yet. What do you think?

[mowestenParticipant]

 I know it’s preseason but Cousins had 20 points in 20 minutes tonight. They lacked rim protection last year without Bogut. To their advantage though, there’s not a lot of tough guy teams in the league capable of playing bully ball. 

The advantage that the Cavs have is they can take the regular season off and still get the No 1 seed in the East, then coast to the Finals. Golden State has to half kill itself in the West playoffs to get three, and by that time they are worn out, injured or someone has done something stupid, while the Cavs have had it on cruise control for eight months.

Until or unless the East catches up with the Cavs and actually makes them expend some energy in the playoffs, I think they are always going to be jacked up for the Warriors.

[SubZeroParticipant]

I could see Boston and Indiana pushing Cleveland to 6 or 7 this year if they have to face them. They both have the personnel to make it tough on Cleveland and give them a good scare.

Toronto does too, but I don’t think I trust them in April at all. I’m riding with Paul George or Boston’s collective stardom and Brad Stevens over DeRozan and Lowry in the playoffs, but I’m hoping they can play well too like they do all season. The East needs some competition

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

I don’t see them being as good defensively. Their defense actually began to slip the second half of last season. Paculia isn’t nearly the defender bogut was and ezeli will be missed as well. Rather than using their vaunted small ball lineup for stretches like they have in the past, they may be forced to go to it more often this year. Durant can be an excellent on ball defender but he can get lazy away from the ball at times and he has never shown much of a willingness to really mix it up down low, although he didn’t have to much in OKC. They are still a versatile team defensively but they may struggle to protect the rim and against teams with size.

[Tap892Participant]

 The Warriors played a Houston team that shouldn’t have even been in the playoffs last year, and an inexperienced Portland team in the second round. They had to beat a tougher team in the thunder than the cavs had to play, but I’d say their first 2 rounds were easier than the cavs. 

[Mr. JewboyParticipant]

 I think people are taking into account that KD is basically a 7-footer, and a long one. Even though he isnt very broad or strong, he still covers a lot of ground and can be somewhat of a shot blockee, and opposite of him theres Draymond who is very strong and was basically a Center most of the time and almost won DPOY.

 

 Kd eill be much improved on that side now that he doesnt have to be such a focal poimt on offense, and will also learn how to defend in the post now without Ibaka and Adams

 

 

When you’ve got Klay, Iggy, and Green I think youll be just fine. 

 

[halfdecayedParticipant]

don’t know if KD will be able to defend the post honestly, the guy isn’t that strong, Lebron and even Love will bully him inside

[StephGoneStephParticipant]

 Yes losing Bogut hurts- he’s one of the best defensive centers in the league.

But Kevin Durant is much rebounder and a better defender than Barnes, be it on the perimeter or in the paint. He averaged 8 rebounds a game last year and was one of the best rebounders in college when he played inside. When any team goes small they’re going to be vulnerable in the paint, however if the other team stays big, they’re going to get destroyed on the other end with their power forward guarding Durant- I’d consider Durant v Griffin or Durant v. Aldridge two big plus matchups for the warriors.

And the Warriors don’t have to always go small. Zaza’s going to start the game and we’ve got David West (who still looks pretty good) and Javale McGee (gulp) as well.

 

 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 Losing Bogut for certain match ups is a loss but GSW will probably just try to outscore teams and not grind out wins.

Them playing D’Antoni’s Rockets could see some very high scoring games.

But they still have Iggy who can shut down his opposite number at key points in a game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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